The secret to lasting youth may not lie in a pill or potion, but in produce! Carrots, spinach, and broccoli—among other vegetables—contain compounds known as antioxidants.

Antioxidants and Free Radicals in the Body

As the body uses oxygen, free radicals—oxygen molecules that are missing electrons—are formed. These free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells. This cell damage is thought to build up over time and may lead to aging and disease. Everything from
cancer
and heart disease, to wrinkles and
cataracts
may be attributed to the action of free radicals. Environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation and tobacco smoke may also increase the number of free radicals in the body.

Antioxidants are compounds that work to deactivate free radicals. The best known antioxidants are vitamins A, E, C and beta-carotene, but there are many others, including selenium, lutein, and lycopene.

Research Shows Mixed Results

The ability of antioxidant supplements to prevent disease has not been widely supported by scientific evidence. Some observational studies (which track participants without making changes to their diet or treatments) have found reduced risk of certain diseases with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants. However, clinical trials have not shown any benefit.

One exception is the National Eye Institute study of age-related eye disease. It found that a combination of antioxidants and zinc reduced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 25% in people who had intermediate or advanced AMD in one eye. The risk was reduced by about 17% when antioxidants were used alone. Other studies demonstrated slowing of disease progression in patients with AMD or cataracts.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Some studies have suggested that for certain people, over consumption of antioxidants can be harmful. Studies of beta-carotene in humans were stopped in 1994, after results suggested that people at risk for cancer were at even greater risk after taking high doses of synthetic beta-carotene. Taking more than 400 units a day for more than a year increases your risk of death from any cause.

Benefits of Dietary Changes Are Clear

Though the jury is still out on the role of antioxidant
supplements
as disease and age fighters, consuming more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables has well-documented benefits in improving health, aside from their antioxidant contents.

*Recommended amounts are given as dietary reference intakes (DRIs), which replace recommended dietary allowances (RDAs); these are the government's recommendations for good health.
**REA = retinol equivalents; a measurement of vitamin A that includes the two major forms of vitamin A found in foods: retinol and beta-carotene. There is no separate DRI set for beta-carotene.

Are Supplements Necessary?

The American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society do not endorse antioxidant supplements for the general population, but they do recommend a diet with plenty of antioxidant-rich fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You should also discuss any antioxidant use with your doctor before you begin.

Antioxidant Supplements for Health: An Introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/antioxidants. Updated March 3, 2013. Accessed July 2, 2014.

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